[Sigmetrics] A Reproducible Journal Classification and Global Map of Science ; preprint

[Loet Leydesdorff]

A Reproducible Journal Classification and Global Map of Science
<http://arxiv.org/abs/1604.02716> 
Based on Aggregated Journal-Journal Citation Relations


A number of journal classification systems have been developed in
bibliometrics since the launch of the Citation Indices by the Institute of
Scientific Information (ISI) in the 1960s. The best known system is the
so-called "Web-of-Science Subject Categories" (WCs). Each system has its own
advantages and disadvantages. Using the Journal Citation Reports 2014 of the
Science Citation Index and the Social Science Citation Index (n of journals
= 11,149), we examine the options for developing an unambiguous
classification of the journals into subject categories on the basis of
aggregated journal-journal citation data. Combining routines in VOSviewer
and Pajek, a tree-like classification is developed which can be reproduced
unambiguously. At each level one can generate a map of science for all the
journals subsumed under the category. Nine major fields are distinguished at
the top level, with the social sciences as a single field (n of journals =
3,131). In this study, further decomposition of the social sciences is
pursued for the sake of example with a focus on journals in information
science (LIS) and science studies (STS). The classification improves
alternative options by removing subjective judgement and avoiding the
problem of randomness in the seed number that has made algorithmic solutions
hitherto irreproducible. A non-subjective map and classification can provide
a baseline for measuring the effectiveness of policy interventions. Maps can
be compared between years, and change in the (social) sciences can be
indicated. 

 

Loet Leydesdorff, Lutz Bornmann, and Ping Zhou

Submitted on 10 Apr 2016; http://arxiv.org/abs/1604.02716 

  _____  

Loet Leydesdorff 

Professor, University of Amsterdam
Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR)

 <mailto:loet at leydesdorff.net> loet at leydesdorff.net ;
<http://www.leydesdorff.net/> http://www.leydesdorff.net/ 
Honorary Professor,  <http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/> SPRU, University of
Sussex; 

Guest Professor  <http://www.zju.edu.cn/english/> Zhejiang Univ., Hangzhou;
Visiting Professor,  <http://www.istic.ac.cn/Eng/brief_en.html> ISTIC,
Beijing;

Visiting Professor,  <http://www.bbk.ac.uk/> Birkbeck, University of London;


 <http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ych9gNYAAAAJ&hl=en>
http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ych9gNYAAAAJ&hl=en

 

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